Sizing a van around what you are moving
List the largest items with rough length, width and height, and give an estimate of total weight, because bulk and payload limit a van in different ways. Mention anything awkward, such as a wardrobe that cannot be dismantled or long timber. Describe loading at both ends, including stairs, lift access, distance from the kerb and whether anyone will help lift.
Fitting the van to your route
Start with the load, then choose the van. A small van works well for boxes, tools and light collections; medium and long-wheelbase vans suit furniture, stock and trade equipment; and a Luton is the better choice for bulkier items on a house move. Subject to dates, driver details and availability, the range includes the Volkswagen Caddy, Ford Transit SWB, VW Transporter Automatic, Ford Transit MWB and Ford Transit LWB. Make, model, transmission, seats, payload and licence position are all confirmed at quote stage, so treat these vehicles as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Planning a Collection With a Seller
If you have bought furniture or equipment from a private seller, a little preparation before the hire date can settle most unknowns. Start by asking the seller for the measurements of each item, including height and depth, along with any parts that detach. Note down the collection address, the agreed time window and a phone number in case of delays. You might also ask whether the item is on a ground floor or upstairs, purely so you can record the details and pass them on when discussing van options. When you request a quote, these notes let the team talk through which vehicle groups could suit. Questions still worth asking include whether a crew van or dropside would better match awkwardly shaped pieces and how the hire window lines up with the seller's availability.
Organising a Household Move
A household move might involve a dozen boxes and two wardrobes, or the entire contents of a flat, so the scale of the job shapes the hire. Before booking, try listing each room and the items within it, noting anything unusually long, tall or heavy. Record the dates you plan to move, the addresses involved and any access details at both ends, such as parking arrangements you have already agreed. If friends are helping on one day only, that constraint belongs in your enquiry too. You can then ask which van options are worth discussing for the volume you have listed, or whether multiple trips across a longer hire window might work instead. Keeping a written inventory means you can adjust the plan if items are sold, donated or added before the move date arrives.
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What to confirm on the phone
Before the hire is confirmed, go over the key points: whether the vehicle is available, the driver requirements, mileage, insurance, the delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for. Make sure payload, loading height, tail-lift needs, driver details, deposits and insurance excess are confirmed before you settle on a van size. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, a rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the passengers or load you expect and any special requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.